Alumnus Douglas D. Schumann ’64 Donates $25 Million to Name School of Engineering
In a watershed moment for Wentworth Institute of Technology, the university will receive a record-setting $25 million gift from alumnus and Trustee Emeritus Douglas D. Schumann, a 1964 graduate of the Aircraft Maintenance program and a 2008 honorary degree recipient. The commitment, the largest single gift in the institution's 120-year history, will formally name the Douglas D. Schumann School of Engineering, permanently linking his legacy of ingenuity to the future of engineering education in Boston and beyond.
The formal signage unveiling ceremony will take place on Friday, October 17, as a highlight of the university's annual Wentworth Weekend celebration. This landmark contribution crowns a lifetime of partnership between Schumann and his alma mater, propelling the newly named school as a leader in hands-on, career-focused learning.
A Historic Investment in Innovation
Schumann's $25 million commitment represents a powerful endorsement of Wentworth's strategic direction and a pivotal investment in its future. The gift will fuel innovation by funding student scholarships, enhancing the undergraduate experience, and launching new academic programs.
“This is a truly historic moment for Wentworth,” said President Mark A. Thompson. “Doug Schumann’s unparalleled generosity is a testament to the profound impact this institution has on its students and a resounding belief in our vision for the future. This transformational gift will not only elevate our Engineering programs to new heights but will secure a legacy of innovation and opportunity that will benefit generations of students to come.”
Under Dean Ali Khabari and his leadership team, the school will use this extraordinary support to redefine the possibilities of engineering education. The act of naming does more than honor its benefactor; it signals a new era of ambition, enhancing the school's reputation among students, faculty, and industry partners.
“We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary act of philanthropy,” said Khabari. “This gift dramatically changes things, allowing us to empower our students and faculty with unprecedented resources. It enables us to be bolder in our academic pursuits, to invest in emerging technologies, and to ensure that a Schumann School of Engineering education remains at the forefront of the industry.”
Schumann’s contribution comes at a time of exceptional momentum for Wentworth. In the past two years, the School of Engineering has climbed from #70 to #38 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings for “Undergraduate Engineering Programs (No Doctorate),” reflecting a period of rapid growth and innovation. Recent milestones include the launch of the Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering program, nearly $1 million in laboratory enhancements, and the addition of two new concentrations in aerospace and advanced manufacturing as part of the (general) engineering program. The school was also recently awarded a $4.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, in addition to grants totaling $1.2 million from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support its biological and bioengineering programs. The School of Engineering has also reached a historic high in enrollment, resulting in the largest incoming cohort of engineering students in the fall of 2025.
The announcement was featured in a Boston Globe article on October 16, which highlighted how the Schumann gift will "fuel more growth" as the university continues its post-COVID rebound.
“A gift of this magnitude reflects a deep belief in the power of education and propels our vision for academic excellence,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Sophia Maggelakis. “It will provide the kind of sustained funding needed to attract and retain world-class faculty, offer competitive scholarships to deserving students, and strengthen our laboratories. Mr. Schumann’s gift is a direct investment in our students and the faculty who guide and inspire them."
From Blueprints to Business
Douglas Schumann's story is one of entrepreneurial vision built upon a foundation of practical education. His journey from a student on Wentworth's campus to an industry leader and philanthropist embodies the very spirit of innovation the university seeks to instill in its graduates.
“Wentworth gave me the foundation for everything that followed. I learned the value of rolling up your sleeves and solving real-world problems. I built my career on that attitude, and it’s what I see in Wentworth students today," said Schumann.
A Connecticut native, Schumann came to Wentworth seeking a hands-on education. His passion for aviation was clear both in his studies, where he earned a degree in Aircraft Maintenance in 1964, and in his extracurriculars as a member of the model airplane and aeronautical clubs. Beyond his academic interests, he was an active presence on campus, serving as an athletic manager and enjoying intramural softball and bowling.
After graduation, Schumann took his knowledge and what has been described as a "pioneer spirit" into the working world. In 1972, he founded P-Q Controls, Inc., a company that would grow to become an industry leader in the design and manufacturing of industrial joysticks and controls. For more than four decades, the company has supplied essential components to the outdoor and off-highway controls market, serving critical sectors such as construction, mining, forestry, marine, and aviation. P-Q Controls built its reputation on rugged, high-quality products, backed by patented technologies and decades of engineering development, showcasing Schumann's role as a true innovator.
Schumann’s career reflects a lifelong belief in building things that last—from maintaining complex aircraft to developing the durable controls that power modern industry. His focus has always been on practical application, ingenuity, and resourceful problem-solving.
That ethos now animates his philanthropy. Earlier scholarships he endowed reward students who demonstrate “resourcefulness in problem-solving and a can-do attitude.” His $25 million gift to the School of Engineering is the ultimate expression of that same philosophy—a transformative investment designed to empower generations of future pioneers, builders, and innovators.
A Partnership in Philanthropy
Schumann's personal and professional life has been guided by four key precepts that Wentworth would also come to adopt: honesty, energy, economy, and system. Schumann credits the “love and support I received from my parents” for shaping his outlook and his enduring desire “to help young people who may or may not have been as fortunate as I was.”
His involvement extends far beyond financial contributions. He has provided decades of leadership and strategic guidance, serving on the Board of Trustees beginning in 1989 and as a Trustee Emeritus since 1999. His previous cornerstone gifts have been instrumental in Wentworth's evolution. In 2012, his support led to the opening of the Douglas D. Schumann Fitness Center, a state-of-the-art facility that was a key factor in helping Wentworth solidify its identity as a truly residential campus.
Later, he provided the lead gift for the Douglas D. Schumann Library and Learning Commons. This project transformed a dark, 50-year-old facility into an award-winning, "dynamic, technology-driven space" that now serves as the collaborative heart of the university.
Beyond capital projects, Schumann has consistently invested in the people who define the Wentworth community. He established the Douglas D. Schumann Professorship, currently held by Afsaneh Ghanavati, associate professor and program director of Electrical and Computer Engineering, to support faculty excellence. His commitment to student access is evident in the Douglas D. Schumann P.E. Scholarship and the Douglas D. Schumann Electromechanical Engineering Scholarship, which provide aid to students who demonstrate financial need and a positive, goal-oriented attitude.
During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Schumann once again stepped forward with a leading $500,000 gift to establish the Wentworth Cares Fund. This fund provided immediate and direct aid to students facing hardship, helping with emergency relocation, housing refunds, and access to counseling services, demonstrating a profound commitment to student well-being.
Powering a New Era for Wentworth Engineering
The Douglas D. Schumann School of Engineering offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including Biological, Biomedical, Civil, Electrical, Computer, Electromechanical, Mechanical, and Robotics Engineering, with more nearing approval. Its educational model is built on providing students with a strong technical foundation, experience on real-world projects, and two required semesters of cooperative (co-op) work experience. Schumann's gift will strengthen every pillar of this proven model.
The gift is also linked with the university's long-term vision. In February 2024, Wentworth announced a 10-year Institutional Master Plan (IMP) outlining a sweeping transformation of the campus, including new academic buildings and advanced learning spaces to serve the next generation of STEAM professionals. As a Trustee Emeritus, Schumann was intimately aware of this forward-looking blueprint, and his gift serves as a powerful endorsement of its ambitions.
In turn, Schumann’s $25 million commitment creates the financial momentum needed to bring the IMP's vision to life, demonstrating that Wentworth's ambitious plan is not theoretical, but funded, feasible, and already in motion. The endowment will play a central role in realizing new engineering facilities while advancing the university’s broader strategic plan, particularly its commitments to High-Value Learning and Next-Generation Partnerships.
Celebrating a Legacy
The official announcement of the $25 million gift and the unveiling of the new signage for the Douglas D. Schumann School of Engineering is scheduled for Friday, October 17, and will bring together students, alumni, families, faculty, and staff to celebrate this historic moment in the university's history. The event's timing, which coincides with the 50th Reunion festivities for the Class of 1975, creates a poignant backdrop connecting Wentworth's proud past with its vibrant and newly funded future.
"This gift is about ensuring that the next generation has the same opportunity I did, to receive a practical education that prepares them not just for a job,” Schumann said, “but for a lifetime of achievement.”